Refrigerating apparatus



June 23, 1925K G. B. WALKR RIGERATING APPARATUS REF Filed Jan. 14, 19212 Sheets-Sheet l Patented June 23, i925.

Unirse srarlss GEORGE B. WALKER, OF VASHING'ION,'DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA,ASSIGNQR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO A-B-C TRANST BEFRIGERATION COMPANY,0F NEW YORK, NQY.,

A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE.

REFRIGERATING AlPARATS.

Application iled January 14, 1921. Serial No. 437,333.

To all whom. t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Groen B. VALKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at lWashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Refrigerating Apparatus, of which thefollowing is a specification.

' This invention relates` generally to refrigerating apparatus, andparticularly 4to a portable refrigerating device designed particularlyfor usein stores or the like or oni trucks wherein commodities, such forexample, as icecream, are retailed, or iny transit.

My improved refrigerating apparatus is more particularly intended forthe vreception of the usual ice cream can, and is designed to maintainthe contents of the can under a Vsubstantially uniform, low temperature,while permitting free access to the interior of the cam to dispense thecontents thereof as may be. required.

The invention is constructed to provide a refrigerating chamber in whicha liquid, such as water is subjected to the cooling influence of ice andsalt to produce a refrigerating brine,'and such brine caused tocirculate through coils arranged in the storage compartment with saidcoils arranged to form an envelope to receive the usual ice cream can.The can receiving openings in the storage compartment are provided withmeans for cooperation with the ice cream cans to effectively seal thecompartment against the escape of the air therein when the covers of thecompartment are removed to provide access to the interior of the cans.The gradual cooling of the air in this compartment, due to therefrigerating coils, reduces the volume thereof to an extent to producea partial vacuum therein, which will act as a non-conductor against kthepassage of the outside heated condition to the coils. p j

An essential feature of the present invention is a means whereby thecirculation of the refrigerating agent is obtained. The invention takesadvantage of the natural law of a liquid seeking its level and inproviding means to continuously and at successive intervals lift aquantity of the refrigerating agent from one side of' the circulatingpath and transferring it to the other, so varies the level of therefrigerating agent as to cause a circulation in ,a restoration of suchlevel.

ln the drawings Figure l is a perspective view of the improvedrefrigerating apparatus.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3h?) of Figure 5. i

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the brine lifting element.

Figure 5 is a topplan view of the apparatus, with a part of the top, anda part of the casing removed.

- In the form illustrated the refrigerating apparatus is shown toprovide what may be termed an ice cream cabinet, designed particularlyfor the convenient reception of number of ice cream cans, and for use instores or the like where ice cream is to be dispensed and retailed.Ordinarily the storage of ice cream under these conditions is, by meansof an ice box in which the cans are placed, the spaces about the cansbeing periodically packed with ice. This manner of maintaining the icecream in saleable condition requires the ice cream manufacturer ordistributor to periodically visit the stores he is serving, and pack orre-pack the refrigerators with ice and salt. This `manner of maintainingthe ice cream in saleable condition requires a large quantity of ice,the transporation of the same to the various stores, and a considerableamount of labor, time and expense on the part of the distributor. It isto a view of avoiding this material expense, ice transportation, andlabor, to a more or less considerable degree that the presentrefrigerating apparatus is designed.

As constructed the improved ice cream cabinet comprises what may betermed a refrigerating compartment l, of box-like form and ofappropriate size, divided by a longitudinal partition 2, extendingthroughout the height of the compartment and the full length thereof,providing what may be termed a brine chamber 3. Between the partition 2and the opposite side wall of the chamber there is arranged adjacent oneend wall a vertical partition 4 providing with said end wall a receivingchamber 5. A similar partition 6 is arranged adjacent the Opposite endwall of. the compartment, said .y having a manually control drain 13.

partition dextending from the partition 2 to the opposite side wall ofthe compartment, forming with the adjacent end wall a delivery chamber7. The relatively opposite ends of the partitions 4 and 6, that is, thelower end of the partition 4 and the upper end of the partition l6, areappropriately perforated at 8, these perforated or foraminous sectionsof the respective partitions being oi the full width of the partitionand of appreciable height for the purpose designed.

The space included between the partit-ion 2 and the side wall of thecompartment and the partitions 4 and 6, provides an ice storage chamber9 into which ice and salt in the appropriate proportions are to beinitially placed. This ice storage chamber has a convex bottom 10,providing between the same and the bottom 11 of the compartment anexcess storage chamber 12, preferably An overflow pipe 14 leads to thechamber 12 from the receiving chamber 5, this overflowA pipe having trapformation 15 near the upper end, and having its upper end`16 open to theinterior of the receiving chamber at the heightdetermined for the properwater level.

The brine lift in this instance comprises a trough-like member 17pivotally supported at 18 in the chamber 3 and adjacent the receivingchamber 5. That end of the trough member 17 next the receiving chamberis opened, as at 19, and is adapted to deliver the brine into a trough20, which leads into the receiving chamier near the upper end thereof.The end of the trough remote rom't-he open end has an inclined end wall21, to permit the more convenient entrance ,of the brine, and the troughis operated on its pivotal support through a link erating compartment.

22 connected to such troughand reciprocated by amotor 23, of any usualor preferred type supported upon the closed top of the compartment, andoperated in any way.

In connection with the refrigerating compartment, the present structurecontemplates.

the provision of a storage compartment 24, connected to or forming apartof a refrig- The storage compartment is adapted to receive a series ofcoils 25, arranged to present an interior space of a size to more orless accurately receive an ice cream can as 26. The coils are thusarranged closed about the exterior of the can to provide the mostbeneiicial effect of the refrigerating medium. The coils, ofwhich there.may be any number, in accordance with the contemplated capacity of thestructure, are connected in series, the initial coil having an Vinletpipe 27 leadingl from the delivery chamber 7 oi the refrigeratingcompartment, while the final coil has an outlet or delivery pipe 28leading into the lower end of the brine chamber 3. The inlet pipe 27leads from the delivery chamber 7 near the upper end of the latter, sothat there is a gravitalintluence in the travel of the refrigeratingagent through the coils. Y Y

The storage compartment, otherwise sealed, is formed with openings 29 inlinewith the can receiving spaces formed by the' gasket 31, preferablyof rubber, secured to Y the interior of the to) of the storagecompartment adjacent eac can o ening therein. These gaskets areformedwit central openings 32 to permit the passa-ge, of a can therethru, inintroducing or removing the can, these openings 32 being slightly lessindiameter than the exterior ldia-meter of the can. The edge of the canopening 32 of these gaskets yield as the can is introduced, and as thecan reaches .a resting place, such edges are designed to ride past theusual rib 33 formed on said cans and` closely ripthe surface of the canabove such rib. T iis completely seals the interior of the storagecompartment bey-ond the can, notwithstanding the fact that the cover 30may be removed to reach the ice cream.

The interior of the storage compartment beyond the coils is designed tohaveV a` cork or other filling 34, and it is contemplated that in theinitial use of the refrigerating apparatus, the air in the storagecompartment beyond thelcoils will, through the refrigerating effect ofthe coils, be so reduced in temperature as to materially reduce itsvolume and thus in a measure t'orm whatV may be said to be a` partialvacuum protection for the cans against heat iniuences from be' yond thestorage compartment.

With the refrigerating apparatus constructed and arranged as described,it will be apparent that with ice and. salt in the chamber 9 of therefrigerating compartment, and an appropriate amount of water in thebrine chamber 3, the trough 17 will in its movement resulting from theoperation of its motor, pick up the brine from the chamber 3 and deliverit by gravity to the receiving compartment 5.A The brine can only flowfrom this compartment through the forami- .nous portion S ot thepartition 4, travelling thence to and mixing through the ice and salt,being thereby converted into a cooling medium, and rising thru theforaminous portion 8 of the partitionG into the delivery compartment 7.The brine then 'Hows by gravitythru the inlet pipe 7 to and thru the ican are kept at a low temperature. In this connection it has beendemonstrated that the water absorbs substantially 22% ofthe salt, and ifmaintained in substantially continuous circulation, will produc-e atemperature averaging approximately zero or slightly less than zero.

The excess brine naturally accumulating thru the melting' of the ice istaken care'of by the overflow pipe lei and may be discharged from theapparatus as found necessary. Owing to the constantly low temperaturemaintained, it will be found that the apparatus when once in operationrequires practically no attention except a periodical renewal of the iceand salt, and this renewal is at very infrequent intervals, as comparedwith the present ice charging of the ice cream cabinets. Hence themanufacturer or distributor is saved the expense of the additionalmaterial and also the time and labor of transporting the same andpacking the cabinets.

It is of course to be understood that the invention as herein described,is designed more particularly as an ice cream cabinet for the storage ofice cream in cans so that it may be readily dispensed in retail storeswithout material change in condition, and that it is adapted to receiveany desired number of cans. It is also to be understood that theimprovement is in no wise limited in use to ice cream, and it is evidentit may be employed in any art where refrigeration is necessary.

It is to be noted that the brine lift is in no sense a pump, and thatits acts merely to lift a quantity of the brine from the chamber 2,which constitutes the iin-al chamber on one side of the circulatingsystem to the receiving chamber 5, which constitutes the initial chamberon the other side of the circulating system. The level of liquid between`the chambers 2 and 5 is thus periodically and continuously changed infavor of the chamber 5, so that in the attempt of the brine to seek itslevel, a circulation is maintained. In connection with this circulation,it will be apparent that with a comparatively slow uniform action of thelift, the brine is not in constant circulatory movement, as when theliquids in the respective chambers gradually approach and finally reacha level, the circulation is gradually retarded and finally broughtmomentarily to rest until the levels in the chambers 2 and 5 are againchanged in the action of the lift.

This permits a most effective refrigerating action in the coils, as themoving refrigerant has ample time to absorb the heat from the contentsof the cans.

l. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a refrigerating compartment,having a brine lifting chamber at one side, a receiving chamber at oneend, a delivery chamber at the opposite end, and an ice chamber betweenthe receiving and delivery chambers, the receiving chamber communicatingwith .the ice chamber at the lower portion of the latter and thedelivery chamber communieating with the ice chamber at the upper iortionof the latter, a brine lifting element pivoted in the brine chamber,means for moving the brine lifting element up and down in the brinechamber to pick up the brine therefrom, and means for delivering thebrine from the brine lifting element to the receiving chamber.

2. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a refrigerating compartment,having a brine chamber at one side, a receiving chamber at one end, adelivery chamber at the opposite end, an ice chamber between thereceiving and delivery chambers, a brine lifting element pivoted in thebrine chamber, means for moving the brine lifting element up and down inthe brine chamber to pick up the brine therefrom, and means fordelivering the brine from the brine lifting element to the receivingchamber, the receiving chamber and ice chamber having communication atthe lower ends of said chambers and the delivery chamber and ice chamberhaving` communication at the upper end of said chambers.

3. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a refrigerating compartmentincluding a box-like member having a partition extending lengthwise thesame adjacent one side to provide a. brine chamber, a pivoted brinelifting element operating in said chamber, transverse partitionsextending from the first-mentioned partition to the opposite side wallof the receptacle and adjacent each end of the receptacle to providereceiving and delivering chambers, means to deliver the brine from saidbrine lifting element to the receiving chamber, the partition definingthe receiving 'chamber being perforated near its lower end, thepartition defining the delivery chamber being perforated near its upperend, the space between the partitions and side wall of the receptacledefining an ice chamber.

4E. A refrigerating apparatus for ice cream cans comprising a storagecompartment including a series of coils dening can receiving spaces,means arranged beyond said coils to force the circulation of arefrigerating medium thru the coils, the top of the storage compartmenthaving openings in line with the can receiving spaces, closures sealingsaid openings, and a flexible sealing gasket secured at the top of eachopening of the storage compartment below said closures and having anopening ot slightly less diameter than that of the can to seal theinterior oi the compartment about the' can when the latter is inserted.

. 5. A refrigerating apparatus for ice cream ycans comprising a storagecompartment including a series of coils deiining can receiving spaces,means arranged beyond said coils to force the circulation of arerigerating medium thru the coils, the top` oli the can to seal theinterior of the com-l partmentabout the can when' the latter isinserted, and` a cork filling for the interior olf' the con'ipartmentbeyond the coils.

6. A refrigerating cabinet, comprising an outer receptacle, acirculating conduit housed therein and located an appreciable distancelfrom the side. walls thereof, said conduit being in the nature of ahollen7 jacket shaped to receive and closely encom` pass a container,insulating material Vin the space between the receptacle and saidcirculating conduit, a tank in the casing adapted for the retention` ofice, said conduit communicating at its terminals lwith vthe tank, andmeans for inducing a flow of the refrigerant through said coolingv tankand the conduit.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE n WALKER.

